Holding means for crank-carrying shafts.



L. HOLMES.

HOLDING MEANS FOR CRANK CARRYING SHAFTS APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1914.

1 1 20,495. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

Ldwnd Hoimw.

HE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO'LITHQ. WASHINGTON h LELAND HOLMES, OF LANSING, MICHIGAN.

HOLDING MEANS FOR CRANK-CARRYING SHAF'IS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

Application filed April 24, 1914. Serial No. 834,118.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LELAND HOLMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lansing, in the county-of Ingham and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holding Means for Crank-Carrying Shafts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for holding or locking a rotatable crank-carrying shaft against movement in one direction, but allowing it to rotate in an opposite direction, and has particular reference to such means embodying a plurality of elements which are adapted to be arranged in the path of travel of the crank to engage the same and hold it against turning movement in one direction, and when engaged by the crank while turned in an opposite direction, to be automatically shifted thereby out of the path of travel of the crank, so that the shaft may be freely rotated.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the above mentioned character, which are simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, convenient in use, strong and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention, Fig. is a plan view of the same, Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the frame, and, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of the holding elements.

I have illustrated my invention as applied to or embodied in a clothes line reel, while it is to be understood that the same is not necessarily restricted to the same.

The numeral 5 designates the frame of a clothes line reel, preferably formed of a section of strap metal, bent to form longitudinal sides 6, diagonal ends 7, a loophandle 8, and transverse ends 9, as shown. A ring 10 or the like engages within the loop-handle 8, for conveniently securing the same to a rope, cable or other flexible element. The transverse ends 9 are provided with an elongated transverse opening or openings 11, the portions of these ends being preferably twisted to assume a horizontal position, as shown.

The sides 6 of the frame are provided with openings 12, within which is journaled a transverse rotatable shaft 13, carrying at one end, a crank 11. The rotatable shaft 13 is provided with transverse openings for receiving elements or cotter-pins 15, which engage the sides 6 and prevent the improper movement of the shaft 13 with respect thereto. The crank 14L is provided with an intermediate laterally off-Set or curved portion 16, carrying an outwardly extending portion 17, upon the end of which is formed a hand grip 18, as shown. Arranged within the frame 5 are plates or heads 19, centrally apertured for receiving the shaft 13, and forming therewith a spool, for receiving a cable, rope or flexible element 20, which is suitably secured to the shaft 13 to be wound upon the same. The flexible element 20 extends through the opening or openings 1-0 and is provided at its free end with a ring 21, as shown.

The means to prevent the rotation of the shaft 13, comprises preferably a plurality of movable or reciprocatory holding members 22, arranged upon opposite sides of the shaft 13 in proximity to the crank 14, as

shown. Each of these holding elements comprises a frame or body portion 23, receiving the side 6 and slidably or longitudinally movably mounted thereon. From the frame or body portion, at one end thereof, extends an approximately triangular striking head 24, having one edge 25 straight and the opposite edge 26 beveled or camshaped, the head being slightly twisted to occupy a vertically inclined position, with the inner portion of the face 26 raised above the outer portion thereof. The holding members 22 are inverted with respect to each other, and are free to reciprocate toward and away from each other.

In operation, assuming that it is desired to rotate the shaft 13 clockwise to wind the flexible element 20 thereon, the holding members 22 being in the inner or operative position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the crank 1% is turned clock-wise, whereby the portion 16 of the crank is successively brought into engagement with the inclined face 26 of the head 21. This will move the member 22 outwardly along the side 6, out of the path of travel of the portion 16, whereby the crank 14 may be turned in either direction. To lock the shaft 20 against turning movement in an opposite direction, that is counter-clock-wise, the.

holding members 22 are moved inwardly to be arranged in the path of travel of the portion 16 of the crank, such portion now engaging the straight edges or faces 24: thereof. These holding members will not now be shifted or moved out of the path of travel of the portion 16 of the crank.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention, what I claim is 1. The combination with a support, of a crank carrying shaft ournaled therethrough and a holding member movably mounted upon the support and having an inclined face adapted to be moved into the path of travel of a portion of the crank.

2.'The combination iwith a support, of a crank carrying shaft journaled therethrough, a reciprocatory holding member mounted upon the support and embodying a head having an inner diagonal crank engaging face and an outer straightv crank engaging face, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a support, of a crank carrying shaft journaled there through, holding members slidably mounted upon the support upon opposite sides of the shaft and carrying at their ends laterally extending heads provided with inner di agonal cam faces, the members being 1nverted with respect to each other, and adapted for movement into and out of the path of.

travel of a portion of the tially as described. 1

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LELAND HOLMES.

crank, substan- Witnesses:

SAMUEL H. RHoADs, NELLY E. STOKES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0; 

